Hydrodynamic torque transmitting device



Aug. 1, 1961 A. c. MAMO HYDRODYNAMIC TORQUE TRANSMITTING DEVICE OriginalFiled Aug. 22. 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 @wim/C@ fmz/erzOrf adb@ c. Mm@

Aug- 1, 1961 A. c. MAMO 2,994,197

HYDRODYNAMIC TORQUE TRANSMITTING DEVICE Original Filed Aug 22. 1955 4Sheets-Sheet 3 g 26 I. 90 l. Q 60 24 FF/f caf/ym@` Z l, 70 l" K /l Il X0 E 2 K FAC raf? U l /6 7,14 \*ll Q l [L Ta/PQUE RAT/0 40 y l/ k /4 n 70x i /2 l/ L I k /0 /0 fave/VIZI ff/6.1 TYPE CONV. 7720 F/o. 24 TYPE comaRZZ@ CM Aug. 1, 1961 A. c. MAMO HYDRODYNAMIC TORQUE TRANSMITTING DEVICEOriginal Filed Aug. 22. 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 XQM 0 0 w w w w w w 4 x 2m m. /../l,// 3 r/ i J m a. 0 m n A 7. K R J 6./ 6 mi N0 W. 1/ m f 5 m/f/ x. N 4. p Y 1l, l f.. M wl* am. ch. ffl/l 5 M dv/ H Z7 :L 1 /f m 0AU0 0 6 4 Z w ,k w a w m M a z fa f United States Patent O Claims. (Cl.60-54) The present invention relates in general to torque transmittingdevices and more particularly to hydraulic `torque converters of thetype adapted to multiply and transmit torque to 4a load from a drivingengine. The improved form of hydraulic torque converter disclosed hereinis particularly suitable for use with a driving engine of the typeordinarily used in automotive vehicles.

This application is a division of my co-pending application, Serial No.529,716, tiled August 22, 1955, now U.S. patent No. 2,954,672, issuedOct. 4, 1960.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improvedhydraulic torque converter of the type having a plurality of vanedelements which together define a substantially toroidal fluid circuitand wherein the elements include vaned impeller means 4adapted to bedrivingly connected with a driving engine -for circulating fluid throughthe toroidal circuit to impart kinetic energy thereto, varied turbinemeans disposed in the path of the circulating fluid for absorbing thekinetic energy from the iluid as it leaves the impeller means, and vanedstator means effective to change the direction of flow of the fluidleaving the turbine means and prior to its return to the impeller meansfor `enabling infinite variation of torquev conversion by the converterover a range varying from maximum torque conversion to minimum torqueconversion which occurs when the clutch point of the converter isreached and during which condition the converter transmits torque at asubstantially one-to-one ratio between the impeller means and the drivenor turbine means.

More particularly, the present invention provides a hyydraulic torqueconverter which includes, in addition to the conventional variedimpeller, turbine and stator means, multiple iloater elements drivinglyinterconnected with each other and freely rotatable with respect to theimpeller, turbine `and `stator means, said loater elements beingeffective to absorb ginetic energy at one point in the toroidal iluidcircuit and give up this absorbed kinetic energy to the fluid at adifferent point in the toroidal circuit so as to provide the multipleadvantages which will be described hereafter in the presentspecification.

In the improved torque converters disclosed herein, the desirableoperating characteristics mentioned heretofore are obtained by using thevaned lloater elements for absorbing kinetic energy at one point in thetoroidal fluid circuit and giving up this kinetic energy at anotherpoint in the toroidal fluid circuit. This has the effect of deecting thefluid at the desired point in the toroidal fluid circuit and in thedesired direction in order :to change vthe normal operatingcharacteristics of the converter and provide the advantages outlinedabove.

Accordingly, it is a more specific object of the present invention toprovide la hydraulic torque conventer comprising a plurality ofrelatively rotatable elements which together define a substantiallytoroidal fluid circuit and which comprise impeller means for impartingkinetic energy to the fluid and effecting circulation thereof to thetoroidal circuit, turbine means for absorbing kinetic energy from thefluid, stator means for redirecting the fluid in a more forwardlydirection after it leaves the l.

pice

turbine means so as to `enable torque multiplication by the converter,and, a plurality of floater devices disposed in toroidally spacedrelation with respect to the impeller, turbine and stator means forabsorbing energy from the fluid circuit and giving up energy to thedluid circuit at different toroidally spaced points therein and therebyde"- ilecting the fluid from the path which it would normally take tothus alter the operating characteristics of the converter.

In `another broad aspect a primary object of the present invention is toprovide infinite variation, between predetermined angular limits, in thedirection of llow of the fluid entering one of the impeller, turbine orstator devices for thereby ininitely variably effecting the operation ofthe converter. f

The present divisional application is directed to the use of the beforementioned new and improved floater devices in torque converters whereina brake mechanism is employed between the lloater elements whereby theiloater elements are rendered elective to operate substantially Ias theembodiments disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2,954,672 during a portion ofthe torque conversion range, while functioning as a conventional torqueconverter during another portion of the torque conversion range.

The foregoing and numerous other objects and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed description,when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. l is a sectional view through the upper half of one preferred formof hydraulic torque converter constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention; I

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a torque converter of the generaltype disclosed herein wherein the varied floater members arerespectively disposed in toroidally spaced relation on opposite sides ofthe stator, and wherein the lloater members are interconnected throughthe intermediary of a one-way clutch which permits the transmission oftorque between the oater members when there is a tendency for one of themembers to rotate in one relative direction of rotation with respect tothe other and enables the lloater members to free-wheel with respect toeach other when there is a tendency for the one loater to rotate in theopposite relative direction of rotation with respect to the other;

FIG. 3 is a schematic fragmentary illustration taken along the line24-24 in FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the `arrows land showinga one-Way clutch suitable for use in the torque converter disclosed inFIG. 2 and so disposed that it will permit the iloater elements to lockup whenever the first iloater tends to yrotate in a backward orcounter-clockwise direction of rotation relative to the second iloateror whenever the second iloater tends to rotate ina forward or clockwisedirection of rotation relative to the first tloater;

FIG. 4 is a schematic fragmentary illustration similar to FIG. 3 andshowing ya one-way clutch adapted for use in the torque converterdisclosed in FlG. 2 which permits the lloater members to lock up androtate in unison whenever the first iloater tends to drive the secondfloater in a clockwise or forward direction of rotation or whenever thesecond floater tends to drive the first iloater in a counterclo-ckwiseor backward direction of rotation;

FIG. 5 is Ia performance diagram of a hydraulic torque converter of thetype shown in FIG. 2 wherein the oneway clutch interconnecting theiloater members is disposed as shown in FIG. 3; and

tFIG. 6 is a performance diagram of a hydraulic torque converter of thetype shown in FIG. 2 wherein the one- Way clutch interconnecting thelloater members is vdisposed as shown in FIG. 4.

With reference now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals havebeen utilized in the different views to identify identical parts andwherein different letters have been added to the reference numerals toidentify corresponding parts in modified forms of the invention, theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. l-5 of U.S. Patent No. 2,954,672 willfirst be described.

With particular reference to FIG. l, the hydraulic torque converterdisclosed therein comprises, in general, an impeller 30, a turbine 31, astator 32, a first floater member 33 and a second ioater member 34.

The impeller comprises an outer annular shell 35 having a forwardlyprojecting flange portion 36 adapted to be connected in any desiredmanner to a driving engine or motor, and the outer shell is suitablysecured, as by welding, to a generally radially outwardly extendingiiange 37 formed on the forward end of a rotatably mounted sleeve shaft38. 'I'he impeller 3) also comprises an annul-ar inner shell 39 which,together with the outer shell 35, rigidly supports a plurality ofimpeller vanes 40. Each of the impeller vanes 40 has an entrance 41 andan exit 42. As is clearly illustrated in FIGS. 2-5 of my U.S. Patent No.2,954,672, each of the impeller vanes 40 slopes or slants slightlyrearwardly or reversely from its entrance 41 to its exit 42.

The turbine 31 comprises an outer shell 43 which is rigidly secured to ahub 44 suitably splined on a shaft 45, as indicated generally at 46. Theshaft 45 is mounted concentrically with respect to the sleeve shaft 3Sso as to maintain concentric alignment between the impeller 30 andturbine 31. The turbine 31 also comprises an inner shell 47 which,together with the outer shell 43, supports a plurality of turbine vanes48. Each of the turbine vanes 48 has an entrance 49 and an exit 50 andit will be noted that each of the turbine blades 48, when proceedingfrom the entrance 49 to the exit 50, is curved, sloping or slantinggenerally in a forward direction near the entrance 49 and slanting in abackwardly or -reverse direction near the fluid exit 50. It will beunderstood that fluid leaving the impeller vanes 40 through the exits 42thereof enters the turbine 31 through the entrances 49 of the turbineblades 48.

The stator 32 comprises a shell 51 and a shell 52 which togethersuitably support a plurality of stator vanes 53. The shell 52 of thestator 32 is suitably secured, as by welding to a member 54 having aninwardly facing cylindrical surface 55 which comprises the outer race ofa one-way engaging device 56. The one-Way engaging device 56 alsocomprises an inner member 57 having an outwardly facing cylindricalsurface 58 which forms the inner race of the one-way engaging device 56.The races 55 and 58 4are concentrically disposed with respect to eachother and are adapted to have a plurality of peripherally spacedtiltable sprags or eccentric gripping devices 59 disposed therebetween.The sprags 59 tilt about their individual axes in one direction to areleased condition and thus enable the races 55 and 58 to rotaterelatively with respect to each other. When the spags 59 tilt in theopposite direction they are effective to lock up the two races. Theinner member 57 is suitably splined to a sleeve shaft 60, as indicatedat 61, with the shaft 60 being disposed concentrically between theshafts 45 and 38 and ordinarily secured to a stationary member. As aresult, the stator 32 may rotate freely in a forward direction due tothe action of the one-Way engaging device 56 but whenever it tends torotate reversely it is ordinarily held stationary.

Each of the stator vanes 53 has a fiuid entrance 62 and a fluid exit 63and the configuration of each of the stator blades 53 is as shown inFIGS. 25 of my U.S. Patent No. 2,954,672. It wil-l be noted that eachstator blade 53 is slanted slightly reverscly adjacent its entrance 62and is slanted considerably forwardly at the liuid exit 63 andthroughout a major portion of the surface of the blade 53.

The first floater member 33 is provided with a `pair of 4 shells 64 and65 within which a plurality of first lioater blades or vanes 66 arerigidly mounted. The external shell 65 is rotatably mounted on anannular member 67 which is provided with an axially extending portion 68respectively disposed between the inner race 58 and outer race 5S of theone-way clutch 56. The portion 68 of the annular member 67 serves tohold the concentricity of the rst floater member 33 with respect to theimpeller 30, turbine 31 and stator 32. Each of the first floater membervanes 66 has an entrance 69 and an exit 70 respectively disposedadjacent the exit 50 of the turbine blades 48 and the entrances 62 ofthe stator blades 53.

The second fioater member 34 comprises a pair of shells 71 and 72 formounting la plurality of second floater vanes 74. The shell 72 isrotatably mounted on an annular member 75 which is formed with anaxially extending portion 76 disposed respectively between the outertrace 55 and the inner nace 58 of the one-way engaging device 56. Theaxially extending portion 76 maintains the concentricity of the secondoater member 34 with respect to the other vaned elements 30, 31, 32 and33 of the torque converter. Each of the vanes i4 of the second oatermember 34 is provided with an entrance 77 and Ian exit 78.

The oater members 33 and 34, in the embodiment of the inventiondisclosed in FIG. l are rigidly connected together by means of suitablepins 79 which extend through flanged portions 8i)l `and 81 respectivelyformed on the shell 64 of the first floater member 33 and the shell 7-1ofthe second floater member 34.

The stator 32, comprising the plurality of peripherally spaced vanes 53is held `against reverse rotation by the one-way engaging device 56 andthus the fiuid entering the stator -32 impinges against the forwardfaces of the stator vanes 53 and leaves the stator in substantially thesame direction as the slope of the stator blades at their exit 63. Itwill be borne in mind that the fluid entering the stator vanes landimpinging against the forward faces thereof, tends to drive the statorvanes 53 in a reverse direction. Since the stator 32 is held stationaryit acts as a reaction member and enables the hydraulic torque converterto multiply torque between 4the impeller vanes 40 and the turbine vanes48.

One of lthe principal ladvantages, of the many enumerated in my U.S.Patent No. 2,954,672, of the torque converter disclosed in FIG. 1 over aconventional torque converter not provided with the floating members 33and 34 arises from the increased capacity of the torque converterdisclosed herein to handle torque without substantially structurallymodifying the impeller, turbine or stator in any way.

From the various embodiments of the invention disclosed heretofore it isapparent that the angular disposition of the floater member vanes may bevariable over a wide range of angles. More particularly, the inventioncontemplates that the limiting factor in determining the range ofangular disposition of the floating member vanes, as well as the vanesof the impeller, turbine and stator, will Iarise from the choking effecton the fluid flowing through the vanes yand encountered when a pluralityof peripherally arranged vanes or blades are disposed at sharply acuteangles with reference either to the direction of rotation of the vanesor to a direction 180 degrees from the direction of rotation of thevanes. In other words, the present invention contemplates that theangular disposition of the first floater vanes may be anywhere Ibetweenva direction very near to the direction of rotation of the vanes and adirection 180 degrees from the direction of rotation of the vanes. Thepresent inven'tion further con-templates that the second floater vanesmay be angularly disposed in a similar manner.

In the embodiment of the invention disclosed in FIG. 2, the vanedelements 'are like those in FIG. 1. The iuterconnecting means 791comprises a one-Way engaging device having an `inner race integrallyconnected with the second oater vanes 741 land an outer race 96 rigid-.ly interconnected with the first fioater vanes 661. A plurality oftiltable sprags or wedging elements 97 are operably disposed between theraces 95 and 96 and are ladapted to lock up the vaned members 661 and741 upon any tendency thereof to rotate relatively in one direction andto release and enable free relative rotation between the vaned members661 and 741 upon any tendency thereof to rotate relatively in theopposite direction.

In FIG. 3 the sprags 97 are disposed between the races 95' and 96 sothat when the first floater vanes 661 tend to be driven -in 'a backwarddirection the one-way clutch 791 locks up and enables the transmissionof torque from the first floater v-anes 661 to the second oating membervanes 741. As soon as the first floater member tends to be driven in aforward direction of rotation the one-way clutch 7 91 free-wheels andallows the oaters to rotate freely relat-ive to each other.

In the embodiment of the invention disclosed in FIG. 3, therefore, theadvantages attributable to the form of the torque converter shown inFIG. l are obtained during the relatively low speed ratio range and thetorque converter functions as a conventional converter in the .higherspeed ratio range near the clutch point.

During the low speed ratio of the torque converter, the one-way clutch791 locks up and the converter functions like the FIG. 1 type converterat this time. At the high speed ratio end of the torque conversion rangethe 'one-way clutch 791 overruns or `free-wheels and the converter lthenfunctions like a conventional converter without the fioating elementtherein.

FIG. 5 shows the performance curves of a conventional converter in`dot-dash lines and that of the FIG. l Itype converter in dotted lines.The solid lines shown in FIG. 5 represent the performance curves for atorque converter of the type shown in FIG. 2,'with the one-way clutchdisposed as shown in FIG. 3. As is apparent, the one-way clutch islocked-up at stall and remains lockedupv until the turbine to impellerspeed ratio increases to approximately ,65. At this speed ratio the'uidflow from the turbine vanes 481 is such as will tend to drive the firstfioater vanes 661 forwardly. The one-way clutch 791 therefore freewheels above the speed ratio of approximately .65. Thus this 4torqueconverter functions like the FIG. l type converter at speed ratios up to.65 land like a conventional converter without the fioating members atspeed ratios above .65.

It will be understood that the point where the one-way clutch '791changes from a locked-up condition to freewheeling is primarilydependent upon the angular disposition of the oater vanes 661 and 741and this point can be changed by changing the floater vane angles. Forexample, if the rst oater vanes 661 are directed more rearwardly thanthe vanes 66 in FIG. l, then the change from a locked-up to afree-wheeling condition of the oneway clutch 791 would occur at a lowerspeed ratio than .65.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4, the sprags 97" lockup when the first floater vanes 661 tend to rotate forwardly relative tothe second oater vanes 741. This condition normally prevails at theupper or higher speed ratio end of the torque conversion range so thatthe desirable advantages attributable to the torque converter disclosedin FIG. l are obtained at the upper end of the torque conversion rangewithout sacrificing torque ratio at the lower end of the torqueconversion range.

FIG. 6 shows the performance curves of the FIG. 2 type of hydraulictorque converter having the one-way clutch 791 arranged as shown in FIG.4. In FIG. 6,

the performance curves of a conventional converter are represented bythe dot dashed lines and the dash lines represent the performance curvesof the FIG. l type converter. The solid lines represent the performancecurves of the FIG. 2 type converter having the one-way d clutch 791disposed as shown in FIG. 4. .Accordingly, this type of converterfunctions vsubstantially like a conventional torque converter from stallup to a turbine to impeller speed ratio of approximately .54 and likethe FIG. 1 type converter at higher speed ratios. The'oneway clutch 791thus overruns at the lower speed ratios and locks up at the higher speedratios.

The embodiment displosed herein is one of aplurality of different formsof the FIG. 1 type converter disclosed in my U.S. Patent No. 2,954,672.It is to be understood that this embodiment is not intended to beexhaustive, to any degree whatsoever, of the possible forms in which thepresent invention may be applied. Rather, the numerous embodimentsdisclosed in my said U.S. patent are intended primarily to be indicativeof the wide scope encompassed by the present invention. It is thereforecontemplated that numerous and extensive additional modifications of thepresent invention may be made without departing from the spirit or scopethereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A hydraulic/torque converter having a plurality of vaned elementstogether defining a substantially toroidal uid circuit; all of saidelements being rotatable about a common axis; said elements comprisingvaned driving means for `circulating the fluid through said toroidalcircuit and thereby imparting kinetic energy to the uid, varied drivenmeans for absorbing kinetic enengy from the fluid, and vaned reactionmeans effective to change the direction of fiow of the uid for enablingthe conversion of torque by said converter; and said elements furthercomprising toroidally spaced vaned floater means freely rotatable aboutsaid axis with respect to said driving, driven and reaction means; saidtoroidally spaced vaned floater means having a one-way drivingconnection therebetween for enabling free relative rotation therebetweenin the one direction and preventing relative rotation therebetween inthe opposite direction and being thereby effective to transfer kineticenergy in one direction between different points in said toroidalcircuit.

. 2. A hydraulic torque converter having a plurality of vaned elementstogether defining a substantially toroidal fluid circuit; all of saidelements being rotatable -about a common axis; said elements comprisingvaned driving means for circulating the fluid through said toroidalcircuit and thereby imparting kinetic energy to lthe uid, vaned drivenmeans for absorbing kinetic energy from the Huid, and vaned reactionmeans effective to change the direction of flow of the uid for enablingthe conversion of torque by said converter; and said elements fur-thercomprising a pair of floater means toroidally disposed on opposite sidesof said vaned reaction means and freely rotatable about said axis withrespect to said driving, driven and reaction means; said toroidallydisposed vaned floater means having a` one-way driving connectiontherebetween for enabling free relative rotation therebetween in onedirection and preventing relative rotation therebetween in the oppositedirection and being thereby effective to transfer kinetic energy in onedirection between different points in said toroidal circuit.

3. A hydraulic torque converter having a plurality of vaned elementstogether defining a substantially toroidal uid circuit; all of saidelements being rotatable about a common axis; said elements comprisingvaned driving means for circulating the fluid through said toroidalcircuit and thereby imparting kinetic energy to the fluid, vaned drivenmeans for absorbing kinetic energy from the fiuid, and vaned reactionmeans effective to change the direction of flow of the fiuid forenabling the conversion of torque by said converter; and said elementsfurther comprising a pair of toroidally spaced vaned floater meansfreely rotatable about said axis with respect to said driving, drivenand reaction means; a first one of said oater means being disposedbetween said vaned driven and reaction means and the second one of saidoater means being disposed between said vaned reaction and drivingmeans; said toroidally spaced vaned floater means having a one-Waydriving connection therebetween for enabling said first iioater means todrive said second oater means in a forward direction but permitting saidsecond lioater means to overrun said rst floater means in a forwarddirection, whereby the spaced iioater means are effective to transferkinetic energy in one direction between dilerent points in said toroidalcircuit.

4. A hydraulic torque converter having a plurality of varied elementstogether defining a substantially toroidal fluid circuit; all of saidelements being rotatable about a common axis; said elements comprisingvaned driving means for circulating the fluid through said toroidalcircuit and thereby imparting kinetic energy to the fluid, vaned drivenmeans for absorbing kinetic energy from the uid, and vaned reactionmeans eiective to change the direction of flow of the liuid for enablingthe conversion of torque by said converter; and said elements furthercomprising a pair of toroidally spaced vaned oater means freelyrotatable about said axis with respect to said driving, driven andreaction means; a first one of said floater means being disposed betweensaid vaned driven and reaction means and the second one of said oatermeans being disposed between said vaned reaction and driving means; saidtoroidally spaced vaned fioater means having a one-way drivingconnection therebetween for'enabling said second oater means to drivesaid iirst floater means in a forward direction but permitting saidiirst oater means to overrun said second floater means in a forwarddirection, whereby the spaced floater means are effective to transferkinetic energy in one direction between different points in saidtoroidal circuit.

5. A hydraulic torque converter having a plurality of elements togetherdefining a substantially toroidal fluid circuit; all of said elementsbeing rotatable about a cornmon axis; said elements comprising impellermeans having vanes for circulating the fluid through said toroidalcircuit and thereby imparting kinetic energy to the Huid, turbine meanshaving vanes disposed in the path of the circulating fluid for absorbingkinetic energy from the fluid leaving the impeller vanes, and statormeans having vanes effective to change the direction of iiow of the duidleaving the turbine means and prior to its return to said impeller meansfor enabling iniinitely variable conversion of torque by said converter;and said elements further including a pair of toroidally spaced iioatermembers having at least one of said impeller, turbine and stator meansdisposed therebetween; one-way engaging means inter-connecting saidfloater members for enabling the transfer of torque between said lioatermembers when the floater members tend to rotate relatively in onedirection of rotation and for permitting said oater members to freewheel when they tend to rotate relatively in the opposite direction ofrotation; said oater members being freely rotatable about -said axiswith respect'to said impeller, turbine and stator means; the flow of thefluid respectively leaving said impeller, turbine and stator vanes beinginfinitely variable in accordance with variations in said torqueconversion between a iirst set of flow values corresponding to maximumtorque conversion by the converter and a second set of flow valuescorresponding to substantially no torque conversion by the converter;each" of said floater members respectively having vanes disposed in thepath of the circulating fluid; whereby, for a first predetermined rangeof said liow values, one of said oater members is elfective to absorbkinetic energy from the fluid which is transmitted as torque applied inone direction of rotation to the other oater member which gives up thisabsorbed kinetic energy to the fluid and, for a second predeterminedrange of said flow values, the iloater members free wheel with respectto each other.

Gette Apr. 9, 1940 Ullery Sept. l1, 1956

